You have to hand it to the crew over at The Daily Show. When it comes to leftist political philosophy, they are true believers. On occasion, when confronted with ideological hypocrisy, they will call their left-leaning brethren to the carpet. Such was the case Monday night when “correspondent” Aasif Mandvi confronted a union representative regarding the “exploitation” of the union’s own work force.

Though it was unlikely The Daily Show’s intention, this segment demonstrated the folly of the socialist economic philosophy which undergirds the union mentality. No matter their professed ideals, unions cannot alter economic realities, and inevitably must behave as any other actor in the market.

Our union members have shown great solidarity in our fight against Wal-Mart, and in our efforts to let people know that companies like Wal-Mart don’t want their workers demanding fair treatment and fair wages.

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For example… many employees, even many long-term employees make barely more than minimum wage. And, if an employee working without a union contract gets their hours cut, than [they] don’t have a lot of recourse. It comes down to greed.

From there, Mandvi takes to the streets, chatting with protestors braving Nevada’s 107° heat to march outside Wal-Mart on behalf of the union. Among them is beleaguered picketer Jon Emal.

I was down the sidewalk, and a guy threw a water bottle at me out of a car. We get other people that come by and they’ll yell, “Get a job!” Well, this is our job.

As it turns out, he means that literally. Mandvi reveals that Emal and his compatriots are non-union workers hired through a temp agency to protest on the union’s behalf, under strangely familiar conditions.

I’m working temp. I make minimum wage. I make $8.25 an hour… no benefits. I make $35 after taxes.